A new charity initiative was launched this week that sees pop stars taking to the West End stage for special encores. Pop Goes The Musical raises money for Children in Need by offering special £80 tickets for fab West End shows, which are then followed by special performances by pop stars.

• Les Miserables followed by a performance by Alexandra Burke, 18 Sep
• Jersey Boys followed by a performance by Blue, 11 Oct
• Singin in the Rain followed by a performance by Geri Halliwell, 25 Oct
• Thriller Live followed by a performance by Macy Gray and Stooshe, 15 Nov

Tickets can be purchased exclusively at www.lastminute.com/pudsey and include a top price seat, signed programme, Pudsey bear toy, complementary drink and access to a VIP after show reception hosted by the famous bear himself.

Hampstead Downstairs has announced its autumn season this week. Three plays, Brain, Blue Sky and Ignorance will be produced by the theatre; both Brain and Ignorance are new shows, the first by writer Rona Munro; the second by Steve Waters. The space was created for new writers to showcase their work, so if you’re a fan of seeing and feeding back on new theatre, book now.

If you’re looking ahead to theatre production in London for the summer 2013, I’ve got some great news from the Open Air Theatre. Their summer season will contain a production of Harper Lee’s American classic To Kill A Mockingbird alongside the much-loved musical The Sound Of Music. Christopher Sergel’s adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Mockingbird will play from 16 May to 15 June. And the Von Trapp family will be encouraging you to Climb Every Mountain and consider your Favourite Things from 25 July to 7 September. These are just two of the four shows on offer at the venue next summer.

London Theatre Casting News:

• Stephen Campbell Moore and Dominic Rowan will appear on stage at the Donmar Warehouse in Berenice this autumn.
• Sian Phillips joins Will Young and Michelle Ryan in the revival of Rufus Norris’ Olivier Award-winning production of Cabaret this autumn. Other cast members include Harriet Thorpe, who was in the original production, as Fraulein Kost; and Matt Rawle, who plays the young American writer Cliff Bradshaw. Cabaret opens at the Savoy Theatre in October.
• Marcus Lovett is taking over from Peter Joback as the eponymous lead in The Phantom Of The Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre next month. Joining him are Lara Martins as Carlotta, Anna O’Byrne who plays Christine, taking over from Sofia Escobar, and Simon Thomas, who replaces Killian Donnelly as Raoul.

Fry is perhaps better known as a TV presenter than an actor today, but I still remember him from Blackadder, Gosford Park and Wilde. And I’m thrilled he’s going to be performing alongside Mark Rylance and Samuel Barnett in Twelfth Night from September. It’s been rather a struggle to secure tickets online today, but if, like me, you were lucky enough to bag some, I think his Malvolio will be a real treat.

Details of other exciting casting comes from Les Mis this week. Three leading men will take the part of Jean Valjean in Les Miserables in 2012. Ramin Karimloo will continue to play the powerful lead until 31 March, when he’ll be replaced by a returning star: David Shannon (3 April to 16 June). The role will then be taken by West End newcomer Geronimo Rauch. Rauch may be new to the London production, but he’s played Valjean in Barcelona and previously played Marius in his native Argentina. He starts a year-long contract from 18 June.

My final piece of casting news for this week is Christopher Eccleston and Jodie Whittaker appearing at the National. Eccleston is one of my favourite actors, so I’m really excited to hear he’ll be playing Creon in Antigone from May this year. Whittaker plays the young niece, Antigone, doomed to be buried alive. It’s just one in a long list of exciting appearances at the National Theatre this summer: look out for Adrian Lester, Julie Walters, Cillian Murphy and Rory Kinnear take leading roles at the venue in coming months.

Elsewhere, the Young Vic has announced details of its upcoming season. From June, the theatre will offer Simon Stephens’ new updated version of Ibsen’s A Doll’s House, directed by Carrie Cracknell. A Doll’s House will be followed by another updated classic, Three Sisters (from September), directed by Australian director Benedict Andrews. For more details of the venue’s forthcoming season, head to their website.

• Long runners extending their booking periods include:
  Wicked, Jersey Boys, Les Mis, Phantom, and We Will Rock You
• New blockbusters getting in on the forward planning include:
  The Wizard of Oz, Shrek, Ghost

For a full list of shows that have extended their booking into 2012, check out the Official London Theatre website.

Edward Hall’s all-male theatre company Propeller have also announced their 2012 plans. They’ll perform their Shakespearean pairing of Henry V and The Winter’s Tale at the Hampstead Theatre from 4 to 21 July.

Before we get to that all-important Olympic year, there’s still exciting casting news to think about. This week’s announcements include:

• Hollywood star Thandie Newton, who’ll appear in Ariel Dorfman’s Death And The Maiden at the Comedy Theatre from October
• Doctor Who star Karen Gillan (Amy Pond) is making her professional stage debut in Inadmissible Evidence at the Donmar, also in October
• Another debut, this time from Hannah Spearritt (who you’ll know from Primeval, or if you’re my age, S Club 7!) in The Belle’s Stratagem at the Southwark Playhouse from September
• And finally, a real favourite of mine, David Suchet’s going to be back on the London stage in Eugene O’Neill’s Long Day’s Journey Into Night, at the Apollo Theatre. You’ll have to wait til next April for that one, I’m afraid.

Last of all if you’re a fan of London theatre: don’t forget Kids Week, next month!

If you’re not able to catch Ruby Wax at the Menier Chocolate Factory, where she’s currently performing Losing It (until 19 March), you’ll be pleased to hear she’s coming back in the summer.

You can now catch her show, which deals with the darkest moments of depression through poignant prose and funny songs for five weeks from 17 May.

Second up: great news about a return London journey for The Railway Children. The hit London show is back at its unique venue inside the former Eurostar terminal at Waterloo Station from 18 June until 4 September. If the you know anyone who’s a fan of E Nesbit’s book, trains, or just fantastic family entertainment, I’d thoroughly recommend taking them along to this show…

Finally, another fantastic family hit gets a cast refresh. Nicola Stephenson and Patrick Robinson join the cast of War Horse next week. The actors are best known for inhabiting the hallways of Holby General; they’ll now be playing in Michael Morpurgo’s Second World War drama at the New London Theatre.

Stephenson will play the protagonist’s mother, left worrying for her son’s life when he runs away to worn-torn France in search of his beloved horse, Joey. The actress’s numerous TV credits include Clocking Off, Law And Order and Larkrise To Candleford. Robinson plays German soldier Friedrich Muller. In addition to Casualty, Robinson is well known for his work on ITV drama The Bill. The pair joins War Horse as it enters its fifth year; the show’s recently celebrated its one millionth customer.

Finally, have you voted for your favourite show in the BBC Radio 2 Olivier Audience Award? The shortlist makes decisions difficult, with 4 fantastic musicals fighting it out for this year’s prize:

• Billy Elliot
• Les Miserables
• Jersey Boys
• We Will Rock You

Have your say now at www.olivierawards.com/vote. The winner will be announced at the Olivier Awards on 13 March.

Les Miserables has returned to the Barbican for a short-run of just 22 performances this September and early October.

I watched this adaptation of Victor Hugo’s novel last week and was blown away. It is spectacular.

The ensemble work is instrumental in delivering this brand new version of the world’s longest-running musical. It’s a powerful, heartfelt, crisp and visually stunning performance and the best musical I’ve ever seen.

The pace of the production is nearly perfect and is delivered with pin-point precision – barely a beat after the final scene this cast had the entire (very theatre-savvy) audience on its feet.

I sat next to the proud father of one of the cast who informed me that the art that comprised the backdrop of the set was Victor Hugo’s own work. The fact that the author’s images matched every other stylistic aspect of this production is testament to the passion, attention to detail and hard work that has been poured into this great piece of theatre.

Get a ticket – if you can.

Firstly, great news for anyone who’s still eager to see the great Railway Children, featuring that real life steam train at Waterloo Station. The show’s run has been extended until January, making this a great alternative to the flurry of pantos that are sure to grace London’s stages in the festive season.

Casting news for this week features a spot of déjà vu: Cold Feet duo Robert Bathurst and Hermione Norris are pairing up as husband and wife again, this time in Blithe Spirit at the Apollo Theatre. They’re joining the ever-brilliant Alison Steadman in Noel Coward’s ghostly comedy, which opens next year.

And I’ve got details about two hit shows returning to London too: the Olivier Award-winning Blackwatch comes to the Barbican this November as part of a season which features a Polish Macbeth and that birthday Les Miserables. And Pam Ann, the comedy air hostess creation of Aussie Caroline Reid, brings her stand-up show Flying High to the Vaudeville Theatre in September.

Finally, and most excitingly, I’ve heard rumours this week of a brand new musical featuring Kylie’s greatest hits! According to Company, Kylie says:

“Yes, (stylist and creative director) William Baker and I are working on getting the story written. I’m comfortable because it’s not my life story; it’s about the interpretation of my music.”

We’ve already been thinking of possible plot lines and titles here at VL towers. Better The Devil You Know? Fever? Tears on My Pillow? There are so many top hits to choose from! Add any other ideas to the comments below!

Shrek The Musical opens at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in June 2011, and is a stage version of the familiar film, with an original score by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Lindsay-Abaire. You could pair this show with a matinee of Wicked, and have a green-themed day in the West End!

Another West End debut from an American sees Whoopi Goldberg starring in Sister Act: The Musical for a limited period in August.

Goldberg, who plays Deloris can Cartier in the original film, will replace Sheila Hancock as Mother Superior from 10 to 31 August. Despite laughing off the idea of being in the show when it first opened (“I can’t do eight shows a week of anything!”) Whoopi does have a good pedigree of Broadway work, starring in A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Xanadu.

And I’ve got news of another big star returning to the West End later in the year.

Maureen Lipman will star in J B Priestley’s When We Are Married at the Garrick Theatre from 19 October. A consummate comedienne, Lipman last appeared in London in Trevor Nunn’s production of A Little Night Music, which earned her a Laurence Olivier Award nomination. Her other stage credits include Thoroughly Modern Millie, Wonderful Town!, Maureen Lipman Live And Kidding and See How They Run. Priestley’s play, When We Are Married sounds like a great vehicle for Lipman’s talent: a comedy about class hypocricy set in West Yorkshire at the turn of the century. I can’t wait.

You’ll probably be aware of the Les Mis 25th anniversary extravaganza due to take over The O2 in October. Well, there’s been a few more cast members announced. Ramin Karimloo (currently playing The Phantom in Love Never Dies) will play Enjolras, and Samantha Barks, who’s playing Eponine at the Queen’s Theatre at the moment will play the same part in the special anniversary concert.

Les Mis isn’t the only thing with a significant birthday this year. This morning I headed to the not-so-Young Vic to hear about plans for their 40th birthday, and to enjoy some birthday cupcakes!

David Lan, the artistic director talked us through the eclectic season of opera, musicals, drama, and children’s shows with his usual enthusiasm. The birthday season is an international affair, with Icelandic company Vesturport bringing Faust and other European associates and productions in the list.

Potential highlights for me included musical The Human Comedy (by Galt MacDermot, the composer behind Hair); Simon Stephens’s version of Jon Fosse’s I Am The Wind, directed by Patrice Chéreau (hard not to be impressed when David Lan tells you this director changed his life, and has always been working to create a theatre where that guy might one day want to come and work – wow); and children’s theatre company Fevered Sleep’s On Ageing, performed by children but aimed at adults.

Over at SOLT, here’s a more detailed list of all the 40th birthday excitement for the Young Vic this year. And there’s loads of tickets for £10 too! You’ve got no excuse not to go…

Yes, 2010 marks the musical’s quarter-century in London. If you haven’t seen it yet and you love big, sweeping, emotional, epic musicals, I can’t recommend Les Misérables enough. It’s one of my top 10 stage musicals of all time..

Talking of big sweeping musicals, congratulations to Wicked, which enjoyed its most successful year to date, last year. The show, at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre grossed an incredible £27,333,991 at the box office. Wow.

More musical news comes in the form of Heart FM DJ and CBBC’s Toby Anstis joining the cast of Grease on 25 January. This will be Toby’s West End stage debut. I remember him best as an occupant of The Broom Cupboard; now he presents an early morning radio show on Heart. He’ll be playing Teen Angel alongside Siobhan Dillon as Sandy and Noel Sullivan as Danny. (Incidentally, anyone spot Noel’s strange silent cameo in Gavin & Stacey this Christmas?!)

For those of you who prefer plays to musicals, exciting news from the Royal Shakespeare Company this week. The wonderful Jeremy Irons and the brilliant Siobhan Redmond are returning to the Royal Shakespeare Company this spring to appear in new plays.

Jeremy Irons (who was excellent when I saw him at the National in Never So Good a couple of years ago) rejoins the RSC after 23 years to star in The Gods Weep, a play about a corporate mogul who decides to split his power among his subordinates, unleashing a bloody struggle. Sounds like a modern-day King Lear to me?

Siobhan Redmond (Shona Spurtle in The High Life to you and me) leads the cast in David Grieg’s Dunsinane, a drama following one man’s attempt to restore peace to a country ravaged by war following the murder of Macbeth.

And some long-range news. If you’re Shakespeare-obsessed, like me, you’ll love the sound of this: Shakespeare’s Kings & Westminster Abbey. If you saw any of the RSC’s spectacular Histories Cycle, here’s your chance to see some more, inside Westminster Abbey:

Shakespeare’s Kings and Westminster Abbey tells the story of six kings of England, all linked with Westminster Abbey. RSC actors from the History Plays will take part in five atmospheric evenings at the Abbey depicting the aftermath of Edward III and the Hundred Years War, to the accession of Henry VII, after Richard III was killed at the Battle of Bosworth Field. Also taking part are Lecturer Dr Nicholas Sagovsky, Canon Theologian at the Abbey and the Westminster Abbey Choir.

Doesn’t that make your Shakespeare/History geek gene tingle? Perhaps it’s just me. Well, if you’re with me, you’ll have to wait until 13 April, sadly, but it all sounds very exciting.